4.02
"Family Matters" by Rohinton Mistry is a poignant and powerful novel that explores the complexities of family relationships, aging, and the effects of social and political change on individuals and communities. The story is set in Bombay, India, and follows the lives of the Chatterjee family, particularly the aging patriarch, Nariman, and his step-children, Coomy and Jal. Nariman, a retired professor, is a kind and gentle man who is struggling with advanced Parkinson's disease. His step-children, who have been caring for him, become increasingly resentful of the burden he places on their lives, and their simmering tensions come to a boil as they struggle to balance their own needs with their sense of duty and obligation to their step-father. Meanwhile, the wider world of Bombay is also changing, as the city is rocked by political and social upheaval. The characters in the novel are forced to confront the realities of their changing world, and to grapple with the consequences of their actions and inactions. Mistry's writing is rich and evocative, bringing the city of Bombay to life in all its chaotic glory. His characters are complex and fully realized, and the relationships between them are fraught with tension and conflict, yet also marked by moments of tenderness and love. "Family Matters" is a deeply moving and thought-provoking novel that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled with the challenges of family, aging, and social change. It is a powerful exploration of the human condition, and a testament to the enduring power of love and compassion in the face of adversity...
Arundhati Roy
The God of Small Things
Like Family Matters, this book explores the complexities of family dynamics in a vividly drawn Indian setting. Roy's poetic language and non-linear narrative style add depth and nuance to the story of a family torn apart by forbidden love and societal expectations.
Learn MoreRohinton Mistry
A Fine Balance
Also by the author of Family Matters, this novel explores the lives of four individuals from different backgrounds who come together in Bombay during a time of political turmoil. Like Family Matters, it is a powerful examination of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Learn MoreSalman Rushdie
The Moor's Last Sigh
This sweeping, multi-generational novel shares Family Matters' focus on the complexities of Indian culture and history. Rushdie's signature magical realist style adds a fantastical element to the story of a family of artists and their struggles against political and religious forces.
Learn MoreKiran Desai
The Inheritance of Loss
This Booker Prize-winning novel explores the legacy of colonialism in India, as well as the clash between tradition and modernity. Like Family Matters, it delves into the tensions between different generations and the ways in which the past continues to shape the present.
Learn MoreSalman Rushdie
Midnight's Children
This epic novel tells the story of Saleem Sinai, born at the exact moment of India's independence, and his tangled relationship with the country's history. Like Family Matters, it is a rich and complex exploration of Indian culture, history, and identity.
Learn MoreThrity Umrigar
The Space Between Us
This novel tells the story of a wealthy Parsi widow and her devoted Hindu servant, and the complex relationship that develops between them. Like Family Matters, it explores the tensions between different classes and communities in India, as well as the ways in which individuals can transcend these divisions.
Learn MoreJhumpa Lahiri
Interpreter of Maladies
This collection of short stories explores the experiences of Indian immigrants in the United States. Like Family Matters, it delves into the tensions between tradition and modernity, as well as the ways in which family history and cultural identity can shape individual lives.
Learn MoreAravind Adiga
The White Tiger
This novel tells the story of a village boy who rises to become a successful businessman in Bangalore, and the moral compromises he makes along the way. Like Family Matters, it offers a sharp critique of Indian society and the ways in which class and caste continue to shape individual lives.
Learn MoreJhumpa Lahiri
The Namesake
This novel tells the story of a young Indian-American man struggling to reconcile his cultural identity with his desire for independence. Like Family Matters, it explores the tensions between tradition and modernity, as well as the complexities of family dynamics in an immigrant community.
Learn More